North Carolina Biosciences Organization (NCBIO)

“Governor McCrory and I understand the importance of your business to North Carolina,” Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker told NCBIO board members and Biotech Manufacturers Forum members at a forum session June 4th.  She commended life science leaders for being “engaged” every day in a transformative business that helps people’s lives.  Secretary Decker expressed her support for funding for the NC Biotechnology Center and discussed plans of how work with the Center would fit with the administration’s new Economic Development Partnership, that will privatize part of the NC Department of Commerce and bring a number of existing nonprofit economic development entities together.  Decker supports efforts to reduce the State’s corporate income tax but noted that economic incentives will still be necessary if the North Carolina is to remain competitive with other states.  She also called for establishing a State venture fund to help companies commercialize products.  Decker says she wants to meet regularly with industry leaders to get input on the State’s economic development efforts.